Beer Chicken Tortilla Soup

You’d be shocked if you knew how many nights I lay away wondering what you want me to make. Trying to predict what it is that you’ll take notice of, share, and love as much as I do. Sometimes I go too far with it and make something side-eye-worthy like this, and sometimes I just make something I love and hope you love it, too.

This is the second one. I wanted something that reminded me of LA, of the older Mexican ladies who made me homemade tortillas and were forgiving about my toddler-like Spanish. The women who sold tamales in Echo Park and would never use any cheese other than cotija (or maybe panela) in their food. I wanted something warm and spicy so I could forget that I’m in Seattle and we’re in the thick of it right now. The Pacific Northwest is pretending like daytime doesn’t exist and we’re going from dawn to dusk with not really much in between.

It’s a soup for lovers, for pretenders, for those of us who don’t live in the present as much as we like to pretend we do. I’m already planning my escape to a warmer land, even if it’s just for the weekend. For now, my warm escapes are mostly just soup and coffee.

Anyone reading these comments, MAKE THIS! I’m finishing the leftovers tonight, and am going to be so sad when it’s gone. And I am having it without garnishes because I’m lazy with the leftovers….and I am telling you, this soup warms the soul! And I am not a ‘warms the soul’ type of person but there is no other way to describe it. It has so much depth and it’s really just freaking unbelievably amazing!!! I am so glad I have extra chiles 🙂 cuz I’ll be making it again like soooo soon!

love all of these flavors and know what you mean about the authentic places with the cotija! I’ve made versions of this but never with cotija and never with beer! So, a very nice change for me, thank you!